Transparent vehicle roof with arrangement for receiving articles

ABSTRACT

An overhead system for a vehicle includes a generally transparent panel covering a portion of the roof area of the vehicle, and at least one elongated member coupled to at least one of the generally transparent panel and a structural portion of the vehicle. A system for attaching articles to an overhead portion of an interior of a vehicle includes a generally transparent panel covering a portion of a roof of the vehicle, with at least one elongated member engaging the generally transparent panel, and at least one article adapted for mounting to the elongated member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an overhead system for a vehicle. Thepresent invention relates more particularly to an overhead system for avehicle having a transparent roof portion. The present invention relatesmore particularly to an overhead system having elongated rails for atleast partially supporting the transparent roof portion and which mayreceive modular articles for use within the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicles such as motor vehicles having transparent roof portions in theform of fixed or movable glass panels are generally known and include“sun roofs,” “moon roofs,” etc. Such known sun roofs or moon roofs aretypically configured as a window-like opening in a relatively smallportion of the roof structure and are generally limited to the areabetween structural members of the vehicle roof such as crossbows orheaders. Such known window-like openings typically provided a limitedoverhead view from the vehicle interior and are not practical forproviding a panoramic overhead view from within the vehicle interior dueto their limited size and constraints within the roof structure, and theneed for structural strength within the roof panel. Further, such glasspanels typically do not provide for attaching articles within theinterior. Therefore, such known window like openings usually do notprovide transparency for the entire roof portion or a substantialportion of the roof portion due to the structural requirements of aconventional roof and the presence of the cross bows, headers, or otherstructural support features of a conventional roof, and usually do notprovide the adaptability to receive various articles for use by thevehicle occupants. Accordingly, due to advancement in interior vehicledesign, it has become desirable to have roof panels that are transparentor partially transparent (e.g. glass, etc.) that cover either a large orsmall portion of the roof area and are adapted to receive articles foruse by the vehicle occupants.

Overhead systems with modular storage compartments in the forwardportion of vehicles are also generally known and include consoles andstructures for mounting items such as lamps, small storage compartmentsand electronic instrumentation such as compasses, temperature displaysand clocks. Such modular systems typically have mounting configurationsthat permanently attach such articles to a structural portion of thevehicle, whereby installation of article options are typically conductedin a factory setting during vehicle construction and often requiresuser-selection of the desired articles prior to vehicle assembly, oruser acceptance of preinstalled option packages. However, such modularsystems typically are mounted to the vehicle roof structure and rely onthe roof structure for support and thus do not provide the structuralstrength or support for the roof portion.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an overhead systemhaving a transparent panel covering a small portion or a substantialportion of the roof area. It would also be advantageous to provide asupport structure for the transparent panel within the vehicle interiorthat is adaptable for other uses within the vehicle. It would also beadvantageous to provide an overhead system with a mounting systemconfigured for interchangeably mounting a wide array of selectivelyremovable, user-oriented articles that are adapted for use within, or inconjunction with, a vehicle. It would also be advantageous to providesuch an overhead system along substantially the entire length of theinterior overhead portion of a vehicle. It would also be advantageous toprovide an overhead system that provides concealed distribution ofutilities from vehicle utility supply sources to the interchangeablyselected articles. It would be further advantageous to provide anoverhead system whereby certain classes of articles are capable ofinstallation only in predetermined portions of a vehicle area tominimize potential distractions to a vehicle operator.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an overhead system fora vehicle having any one or more of these or other advantageousfeatures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an overhead system for a vehicle,including a generally transparent panel covering a portion of the roofarea of the vehicle and one or more elongated members adapted to engageat least one of the generally transparent panel and a structural portionof the vehicle, where the elongated member is adapted to receive atleast one article for use within the vehicle.

The present invention also relates to a system for attaching articles toan overhead portion of an interior of a vehicle, including a generallytransparent panel covering a portion of the roof area of the vehicle, atleast one elongated member coupled to the generally transparent panel,and at least one article adapted for mounting to the elongated member.

The present invention further relates to an overhead system for avehicle including at least one panel that is substantially see-through,and a rail system having at least one elongated member coupled to thepanel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a downward-looking perspective view of an overhead systemmounted for a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an upward looking perspective view of an overhead system for avehicle according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the overhead system for a vehiclealong lines 3-3 of FIG. 1 according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the overhead system for a vehiclealong lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the overhead system for a vehiclealong lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 according to another preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND OTHER EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an overhead system 10 is shown according toa preferred embodiment. Overhead system 10 includes a roof surface orpanel 14 made from a generally transparent or see-through material (e.g.glass, polymer, resin, etc.) provided in an overhead roof portion orarea of the vehicle and supported by one or more elongated members 30(to be further described). The material of panel 14 may have suitablesafety or structural features such as shatter-proof, safety glass, etc.Panel 14 may be sized to cover a substantial portion of the roof area toprovide the occupants of the vehicle with a panoramic vista when viewingexternal surroundings from within the vehicle, or panel 14 may beprovided in a smaller size such as are typically provided in sun roofsor smaller roof windows (not shown). Panel 14 may be generally flat,curved, or may be contoured into any desired shape to suit the styling,profile or design of the vehicle. The panel 14 may be provided in aclear material, or may be tinted, colored, reflective or provided withother visual modification features desired for the external vehicleappearance and the internal occupant viewing enhancement. For example,the panel may include photochromic, electrochromic orelectro-chemochromic light filtration characteristics. The visualmodification features may also be adapted to provide vehicle interiorclimate control features. For example, panel 14 may have tinted orreflective properties of have other suitable coatings or properties forminimizing the transmission of light or thermal energy into the vehiclecabin (e.g. minimizing “greenhouse effect”) or may be substantiallyclear for maximizing the transfer of thermal energy into the vehiclecabin (e.g. for promoting a “greenhouse effect”). According to analternative embodiment, the panel may be a see-though panel thatincludes a portion that is capable of opening (e.g. sunroof, etc.).

Referring further to FIGS. 1 and 2, panel 14 is supported and sealedaround its perimeter by upper portions of the vehicle structure such asfront header 12, rear header 16 and side pillars or columns 18.According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a mounting system 24is provided having one or more elongated members 30 (shown schematicallyas rails, tracks, channels, rods, braces, etc.) to provide structuralstrength, rigidity and support to panel 14. Elongated members 30 may bedesigned with suitable strength characteristics to meet desired designstandards for vehicle roofs (e.g. frontal, rear or side collisionimpact, roll-over, etc.). Elongated members 30 are shown fastened at afirst end to a front roof header 12 and at a second end to a rear roofheader 16 for supporting an interior portion of the panel 14 and formounting one or more articles 20 (shown schematically as a compartment,exemplary articles will be further described herein). According to anyexemplary embodiment, the elongated members may be used to provide aclose-out structure for sunroofs located within the panel and may beused to assist in movement and closure of multi-panel roof systems. Themounting system may be supplied in a pre-attached configuration to thepanel and may serve as a method to support and transfer the panel from asupplier through the process of assembling the vehicle. According to analternative embodiment, panels may be provided that cover only a portionof the roof area, and the elongated members may be fastened to anysuitable overhead structure in the vehicle including, for example, roofcross bows, headliner structures, etc. According to another alternativeembodiment, the elongated members may be attached only to the panel suchthat they provide a mounting system and add rigidity to the panel.According to a further alternative embodiment, the panel may be of asize, shape or configuration where additional support is not required,and the elongated members may be non-structural members adapted toprovide a mounting function for articles to the panel. According to anyalternative embodiment, the panels may cover only a portion of the roofarea may be supported by and sealed around the panel perimeter to asurrounding vehicle roof segment or other roof support structure.

Referring further to FIG. 1, panel 14 is shown according to anypreferred embodiment and may be provided with a “shielded” section 22(e.g. tinted, colored, blacked-out, etc.) to conceal or partiallyconceal the presence of the elongated members 30 when viewed from alocation external to the vehicle. The shielded section 22 may have anysuitable size and orientation adapted to provide shielding of theelongated members 30. According to any exemplary embodiment, theelongated members may be a single member or two or more membersconfigured in a generally parallel manner and may be orientedlongitudinally or laterally within the vehicle. The elongated membersmay be curved, straight, or have any suitable profile adapted to engagethe panel to match the contours of the vehicle. In a further alternativeembodiment, a shielded section may be omitted and the elongated membersmay be shaped or colored to provide a desired accessory appearance tothe panel. In other alternative embodiments, the panel may beselectively removable from the vehicle, either with or without theelongated members, to provide an open or partially open vehicleenvironment.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the structural shape of elongated members 30are shown according to one preferred embodiment. Elongated members 30are shown having a generally hollow cross sectional shape (as shown inFIG. 4), and include a generally flat base 32 (e.g. back, contactsurface, etc.) on the top of the elongated member 30. Base 32 is joinedto side portions 34 that extend downward to a lower portion 36 to form across sectional shape of the elongated member (shown schematically asgenerally trapezoidal). The side portions 34 of the elongated member 30may be curved, angled, or provided with notches or recesses adapted toreceive articles 20. The lower portion 36 may be made as a detachablecenter strip or may be unitarily formed with the base 32 and sideportions 34. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the elongatedmembers are made from an acrylonitrile butiadene styrene (ABS) plasticin an extrusion process, and may be provided in a wide variety of colorsdesigned to accent a vehicle trim or panel color scheme. According to analternative embodiment, the elongated members and the cap may be made ofaluminum or any other suitable material that provides the desiredproperties (e.g. strength, conductivity, weight, formability, etc.),wherein the elongated members or the cap may also serve as a conductorfor transmitting low voltage electrical power from a vehicle supplysource (not shown) to the articles mounted on the elongated members.According to another alternative embodiment, the cross sectional shapeof the elongated member may have other forms such as I-beam shaped,circular, rectangular, triangular, half-moon shaped, etc.

The hollow shape of elongated members 30 provides a passageway 40 (e.g.channel, path, conduit, tunnel, etc.) through which utility carriers 42such as wires, cables, fiber optics, etc. may be routed for distributingelectrical power, data or communication signals to vehicle components orto the articles 20. According to a further alternative embodiment, theelongated members may be provided as a multi-piece structure (e.g.sections, segments, etc.) which may include connectors adapted to jointhe sections of the multi-piece structure as needed. Such connectors mayinclude straight connectors, right angle connectors, and partial angleconnectors.

As shown in FIG. 3, the longitudinal profile of the elongated members 30may be contoured (e.g. arched, bowed, curved, angled etc.) to match thecontour of the panel 14 along the entire length or a partial length ofthe panel 14, and to provide the desired support and strengthproperties. According to an alternative embodiment, the elongatedmembers may be further provided with retaining structure to secure thelocation of articles mounted on the rails from moving in the event of acollision, rapid stops, or other abrupt vehicle maneuvers. Suchretaining structure may be in the form of a series of slots, recesses,projections, hooks, high-friction surfaces or other structure orfeatures designed to prevent the articles from shifting along the railsor unintentionally detaching from the rails. According to a furtheralternative embodiment, the elongated members may be provided withconductive features such as metallic strips or inserts that provide aconductive path for delivering utilities to the articles. Suchconductive features may be provided along the length of the elongatedmember or may be configured to provide conductive windows or junctionpoints at selected locations for interfacing with certain articles.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, elongated members 30 are coupled to thepanel 14 by connectors 46 at various positions along the panel 14 toprovide structural support to the panel. The end portions of theelongated members are connected to the vehicle structure (shownschematically as front header 12 and rear header 16) by fasteners 48(e.g. threaded fasteners, Z-axis clips, welding, brazing, rivets, etc.)to attach (e.g. fasten, fix, secure, anchor, etc.) the ends of theelongated members 30 to the vehicle. According to an alternativeembodiment, the end portions of the elongated members may be removablyattached to the vehicle structure to facilitate removal of the roofpanel and the elongated members as a single unit. For example,connectors such as quick-disconnects, quarter-turn latches, buckles,slide-locks, over-center catches, etc. may be used to connect the endsof the elongated members to the vehicle.

Referring further to FIG. 3, the elongated members 30 are shown joinedto the panel 14 by one or more connectors 46 positioned longitudinallyalong an interior segment of elongated member 30 and panel 14 to jointhe elongated members 30 to the panel 14. As shown schematically in FIG.4, connectors 46 include a panel interface portion 50 configured forattachment to (and support of) the panel 14 by any suitable method shownas adhesive bonding, but may also include slide-fit, snap-fit,twist-lock connection, etc. or other suitable device to facilitate rapidinstallation techniques or decoupling of the elongated members 30 andpanel 14. Connector 46 includes an extension portion 52 (e.g. post,projection, etc.) that extends downwardly and in a securing relationshipwith the base 32 of elongated member 30. Extension portion 52 includes afastening section for joining the elongated member 30 and the panel 14.According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the fastening sectionof extension portion 52 is a threaded section that extends through anopening 38 in base 32 for engagement with a threaded collar 54. Thelaterally outward ends of elongated member 30 are fitted with a trimmember 56 shown schematically as a gasket strip for providing a sealbetween the base 32 and the panel 14. Trim member 56 is preferablyresilient and weather-resistant to accommodate the typical temperaturechanges associated with vehicle roof applications and may be made of amaterial such as rubber, polymer, foam, or other suitable gasketmaterial. The trim member may be provided in any suitable shape or colorto enhance the aesthetic appearance of the elongated member and panel.According to an alternative embodiment, the connector may be afriction-type or snap-fit connector, such as a Z-axis clip-typeconnector, finned-plug (e.g. Christmas tree connector) or other type ofconnector that is engagable by a press-fit or other quick-installationengagement. According to another alternative embodiment, the elongatedmembers may provide contact-type support to the panel without the use ofconnectors to facilitate removal of the panel by a user to create anopen or partially open vehicle top environment in which the elongatedmembers and articles remain available for use by the vehicle user.According to an alternative embodiment, the elongated members may bechemically adhered to the panels (e.g. adhesives, chemical bonds, etc.).

Referring further to FIG. 3, suitable trim members 60 are providedaround the perimeter of the panel 14 to seal the panel to the vehiclestructure (shown schematically at the front and rear of the roofportion) according to a preferred embodiment. The trim members 60 may beany suitable sealing material such as rubber, polymer, resin materials,etc. and may be attached primarily to the perimeter of panel 14 or tothe vehicle structure. A cover 62 (e.g. bezel, trim, molding, etc.) ispreferably provided at each end of the elongated member 30 to provide asmooth and aesthetic appearance for the junction between the ends of theelongated members 30 and the vehicle structure. The covers may beattached directly to the vehicle structure (e.g. front header, rearheader, headliner, etc.) or may be attached to the elongated members.According to an alternative embodiment, trim covers may be omitted andthe elongated members may have end portions that are configured in asuitable shape or structure for housing vehicle functional elements suchas instruments or for providing storage space.

Referring to FIG. 5, the structural shape of the elongated members areshown according to another exemplary embodiment. Elongated members 70have a generally hollow cross sectional shape with a generally flat base72 with several longitudinal ribs 74 projecting therefrom. Connectors 46may be provided (as previously described) for joining the elongatedmembers 70 to the panel 14 and fasteners may be provided (as previouslydescribed) for joining the elongated member 70 to the vehicle structure.Ribs 74 are provided at the outward lateral edges of elongated member 70to trim the space between the base 72 and the panel 14. Elongatedmembers 70 further include sides 76 having a recess 78 (e.g. notch,inset, slot, groove, channel, etc.) forming an outwardly projectingsupporting ledge 80 (e.g. corner, shoulder, edge, etc.). Recesses 78 andledges 80 provide an external structure for receiving and supporting thearticles 20 (shown schematically) having corresponding structure adaptedto mate with ledges 80. According to a particularly preferredembodiment, ledge 80 is horizontal (as shown) and ledge 80 and recess 78are formed having an angle of 90 degrees or less for providing astructure for receiving articles 20. According to an alternativeembodiment, the elongated member may have a circular cross sectionalshape (not shown) or any other shape where the exterior surface isconfigured to provide longitudinal recesses and ledges for receiving andsupporting the articles. According to another alternative embodiment,the elongated member may have a second recess and ledge (not shown) forproviding an alternative article mounting interface and providingstructure adaptable for mounting interlocks that may prohibit or allowinstallation of certain articles along particular locations of theelongated members. According to a further alternative embodiment, themembers may be provided with a series or pattern of apertures (e.g.holes, slots) or other structure such as ribs, serrations, etc. that areintended to engage corresponding structure on the articles and intendedto prevent the articles from sliding or otherwise shifting positionalong the members when the articles are attached to the members (such asduring abrupt vehicle maneuvers, rapid accelerations or deceleration,collisions, etc.). For example, such apertures may be configured tocorrespond to one or more projections or extensions on the article (e.g.“teeth,” etc.) when the article is attached to the member. Suchapertures may also have different shapes or locations along the memberto serve as an interface so that certain articles are capable ofattachment to the members only at certain predetermined or preauthorizedlocations on the member.

Referring further to FIG. 5, a system for distributing electricityand/or data and communication signals is shown according to an exemplaryembodiment. Beneath ledges 80, sides 76 include inwardly curved lowersections that terminate into a return bend providing internal corners 82to create a longitudinal opening 84. Opening 84 creates a passage (e.g.channel, path, conduit, tunnel, etc.) within elongated member 70 forrouting utility carriers such as wires, cables, fiber optics, etc. Aremovable cap 86 is provided generally along the entire length ofelongated member 70 to cover opening 84 and retain utility carriers, andmay have a flush fit with elongated member 70, or may have projectingcontours, ribs, or other decorative or useful structure (not shown). Cap86 includes two inwardly projecting legs 88 that fit within opening 84and are removably retained in place by an interference type, snap-fitengagement. Opening 84 may be entirely or partially concealed byinserting one or more caps 86 having segments of various lengthstailored to create an access pattern within elongated members 70. Theaccess pattern may be created or modified at any time for selectivelyproviding access to opening 84 along the length of elongated member 70.Elongated member 70 and cap 86 may be made of acrylonitrile butiadenestyrene (ABS) plastic in an extrusion process, and may be provided in awide variety of colors designed to accent an interior trim color scheme.According to an alternative embodiment, the elongated members and thecap may be made of aluminum or any other suitable material, wherein theelongated members or the cap may also serve as a conductor fortransmitting low voltage electrical power from a vehicle supply source(not shown) to the articles mounted on the elongated members. Forapplications where the elongated members are made of aluminum, the outersurface of the aluminum is preferably anodized which provides aninsulating layer on the exterior of the elongated member 70, which maybe selectively removed to provide a custom-tailored electricalconductivity access pattern. Portions of elongated members 70 and cap 86that are not otherwise enclosed by articles 20 may also have a separateinsulating cover (not shown) that snap fits into recesses 78 and ledges80 to electrically isolate elongated members 70 from consumer contact orinadvertent contact with an electrical ground. Elongated members 70 andcap 86 may also be made of any other material suitable for forming anelongated support member and receiving mounting structure from articles20 to be supported therefrom.

Referring further to FIG. 2, a variety of articles 20 may be mounted toelongated members 30, 70 according to a preferred embodiment. Articles20 may include storage compartments (with or without key-lock accesscontrol) tailored to hold tissues, sunglasses, remote control devices,wireless phones, pagers, personal data assistants (PDA), walkie-talkies,binoculars, cameras, first aid or road-side emergency kits, tools,baby-care products and supplies, arts and crafts supplies, toys,sporting goods, books, maps, hunting and fishing equipment, and manyother articles for which readily accessible storage in a vehicle may beuseful. Such storage compartments may either be fixed or designed forpull-down, drop-down or rotational access where the compartment isrecessed during storage and extended for access during usage. Articles20 may also include handles, brackets, fixtures (e.g. “starter block”)for mounting racks, cages, or support pillars for optionally receivingmembers to mount additional articles 20 in a cargo area, lightingequipment, power adapters and outlets, lighters; visual display screens;audio equipment; media displays; digital video disc players; GPSreceivers; cargo storage racks, straps or tie-downs; garment hangers,rods or racks; insulated hot or cold-storage containers, mobile officeworkstation components, portable air compressors or vacuum cleaners,cargo netting and holders; occupant safety features; specially-adaptedconsumer-use products such as travel tables, camping gear, pet barriers,luggage, etc.; brackets having rigid, swiveling or rotating couplers forremovably receiving such consumer use products; storage racks havingfixed or retractable support members for storing skis or other gear; andany other articles which may be useful in conjunction with traveling,working or other vehicle use.

Articles 20 are adapted to be selectively positionable along elongatedmembers 30, 70 however, articles that may be deemed to create adistraction to the vehicle operator, such as video displays and thelike, are preferably provided with a mounting interlock feature whichprevents installation in certain prohibited positions along the members,for example, allowing video monitors to be installed only in a rearwardportion of the vehicle. The interlock function may be accomplished byaltering the cross sectional shape or profile of a portion of theelongated members (not shown) or providing a second recess and ledge(not shown). Particular articles 20 may be provided with a mountingprofile for engaging the elongated members 30, 70 that includes aprojection (not shown) that extends into passage 78 whereby installationof a blank (not shown) within a particular portion of opening 40, 84along elongated member 30, 70 will prevent mounting such articles in theselected locations. Alternatively installation of articles may beselectively restricted by otherwise altering the profile of theelongated members to fit only selected article mounting profiles and maybe accomplished by adding a shim (not shown) along one or more sides ofelongated member 30, 70 or in connection with the passageway of themember.

In yet another embodiment, the articles may be provided with fasteners(e.g. set screws, quarter-turn locks, slide locks, over-center catches,etc.) that may be loosened for installation of article 20 on elongatedmembers 30, 70 and then the fastener may be tightened to secure thearticle to the member, or loosened for subsequent repair, replacement,or reorientation of the article within the vehicle. The fasteners mayhave suitable structure, such as projections in the form of “teeth” forcoacting with mating apertures provided on the member to secure theposition of the article with respect to the member.

Utilities may be distributed from a vehicle supply source (such as aconventional battery or distribution bus—not shown) via utility carriers42 (e.g. wires, cables, fiber optics, ribbon conductors, etc.) thatinterface with articles 20. The utility carriers 42 may be distributedthroughout system 10 by routing the utility carriers 42 through passage40, 84 in elongated members so that the utility carriers 42 areconcealed. Articles 20 are mounted over elongated members 30, 70,whereby one or more gaps or other openings corresponding to access andegress locations for the utility carriers 42, interfacing with articles20 may be provided behind article 20, to create a utilities accesspattern. The access pattern is adaptable to future changes ormodifications in the article selection package by making suitablechanges in the elongated members 30, 70. Articles 20 and utilitycarriers 42 may be provided with mating connectors (not shown) tofacilitate ease of installation, replacement or reconfiguration ofarticles 20 within the system 10. According to an alternativeembodiment, articles 20 may be provided with a fixed length of utilitycarrier for routing through passage 40, 84 to the vehicle supply source.To provide additional flexibility in distributing utilities to variousarticles, an article 20 may be configured to serve as a utility storageor junction box for housing additional utility distribution devices orcomponents and for storing excess quantities of utility carrier that maybe desirable for accommodating future changes to the article selectionpackage.

According to any exemplary embodiment, low-voltage electrical power inthe range of approximately 12-42 volts DC or other suitable voltagerange for powering articles may be routed to the articles via theelongated members, where the elongated members are fabricated entirelyor partially from aluminum or other electrically conductive material.The elongated members may also be fabricated from a non-conductingmaterial such as plastic, where a conducting material such as copper oraluminum is integrally formed with the elongated member in the shape ofa longitudinal conducting strip, rail or bar (not shown) to provide auniform electric current access path from the vehicle supply source tothe articles. Such conducting material may be affixed to the elongatedmember by ultrasonic welding, molding, interference-type snap insert,vacuum metallization or other suitable process. The articles areprovided with an electrically conductive contactor that projectsoutwardly from a surface of the article and is configured to contact theelongated member or a conducting strip thereon and remains concealedbetween the elongated member and the article when the article isinstalled on the elongated member to provide a conductive electricalpath to the article. The contactor may be spring-biased for urging thecontactor into continuous contact with the elongated member or aconducting strip when the article is mounted on the elongated member. Ina preferred embodiment where a system with two parallel members areused, one elongated member would have a positive electrical polarity(i.e. battery potential) and the second elongated member would have anegative electrical polarity (i.e. ground). For embodiments using asingle member, two longitudinal conducting strips (not shown) may beused on the elongated member to provide positive and negativeconductors, corresponding to appropriately positioned contactors on anarticle configured to mount to a single elongated member.

Conducting strips (not shown) may be used as an article positioninginterlock along the elongated members by altering the conducting striplongitudinal position along the elongated member to provide a powerinterlock profile. The power interlock profile ensures that contactorsfor certain articles will properly interface with the conducting stripsonly when articles are installed at locations on the elongated memberscorresponding to a mating conducting strip position. For example, videodisplay articles may have contactors positioned to match a conductingstrip position corresponding only to a location rearward of the frontseats of the vehicle. Similarly, other consumer articles that may createa distraction to a vehicle operator may be electrically interlocked sothat they are operable only when installed in positions that arepreestablished by the power interlock profile. Insulating cover segmentsmay be provided that are adapted to cover portions of the elongatedmembers that remain exposed after installation of the article selectionpackage to prevent consumer exposure or electrical shorts to ground withthe energized portions of the system.

According to other alternative embodiments, the articles may receivecommunication and/or data signals and the like in a wireless manner(such as RF, infrared, etc.) from a device such as a transmitter orcontrol station positioned within the vehicle and configured to interactwith the articles.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of theelements of the overhead system for a vehicle provided herein isillustrative only. Although only a few exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention have been described in detail in this disclosure,those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readilyappreciate that many modifications are possible in these embodiments(such as variations in installation location and orientation within avehicle, sizes, structures, shapes and proportions of the variouselements, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, combinationsof shapes, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachingsand advantages of the invention. For example, the overhead system may beused in the interior of any vehicle (such as an automobile, truck, sportutility vehicle, van, boat, airplane, train, construction or farmingequipment, tractor trailer trucks, motor homes and recreationalvehicles, etc.). According to other alternative embodiments, theoverhead system may be used in connection with articles such as campinggear that are designed to adapt to a stationary vehicle environment.Further, it is readily apparent that the panel may be provided in anyshape, size, or with any material or light transmission characteristics,and may cover either a small area or a substantial area of the vehicleroof. It is also readily apparent that the elongated members may beprovided in a wide variety of strength characteristics, profilecurvatures, shapes, sizes, thickness, and engagement profiles andadapted for installation along, or in conjunction with, the roof panelof the vehicle. The elongated members may provide structure, support orstrength to the panel, or may serve solely to provide an attachmentinterface between the panels and various articles. It is also readilyapparent that the articles may be designed with any profile suitable forattaching to one or more elongated members and may be adapted forslidable movement or fixed installation along the elongated members.Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be within the scopeof the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied orre-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, anymeans-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures describedherein as performing the recited function and not only structuralequivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions,modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design,operating configuration and arrangement of the preferred and otherexemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the presentinventions as expressed in the appended claims.

1. An overhead system for a vehicle, comprising: a substantiallytransparent panel adapted to cover a portion of a roof area of thevehicle; at least one elongated member adapted to couple to at least oneof the substantially transparent panel and a structural portion of thevehicle; wherein the elongated member is configured to receive at leastone article for use within the vehicle.
 2. The overhead system of claim1 wherein the elongated member is coupled to the substantiallytransparent panel and to the structural portion of the vehicle.
 3. Theoverhead system of claim 1 wherein the substantially transparent panelis adapted to cover substantially all of the roof portion of thevehicle.
 4. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the substantiallytransparent panel comprises a shielded section configured to at leastpartially conceal the presence of the elongated member.
 5. The overheadsystem of claim 1 wherein the elongated member is at least partiallyconductive for transmission of electricity.
 6. The overhead system ofclaim 1 wherein the elongated member comprises a passageway for routingutility carriers to the article.
 7. The overhead system of claim 1wherein the substantially transparent panel is formed in a shape havinga contour and the elongated member is formed having a profile adapted tofit the contour.
 8. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the elongatedmember comprises a recess adapted to receive a fastener provided on thearticle for releasably securing the article to the elongated member. 9.The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the elongated member includes aninterlock to permit placement of articles on the elongated members onlyat certain predetermined locations.
 10. The overhead system of claim 1wherein the substantially transparent panel includes at least one of aphotochromic, an electrochomic and an eletrochemochromic lightfiltration device.
 11. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein thesubstantially transparent panel comprises a portion that is capable ofopening.
 12. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the substantiallytransparent panel is removable.
 13. The overhead system of claim 1further comprising a trim piece interfacing with the substantiallytransparent panel and the elongated member.
 14. The overhead system ofclaim 1 wherein the elongated members are a multi-piece structure. 15.The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the elongated members areremovably attached to the vehicle by a quick-disconnect device.
 16. Theoverhead system of claim 1 wherein the elongated member comprises aplurality of apertures configured for engagement with at least oneprojection coupled to the article.